Atomic RoadRunners | Andrew Flynn’s High-Energy Fantasy Baseball

Cubs SS Ryan Theriot went 2-for-3 with two walks and three runs scored Monday against the Padres, raising his season average to .333. Theriot got off to a hot start right of the gate and has yet to cool off. He hit only .266 last season, so you have to wonder if he’ll maintain this pace, but his ability to steal bases while hitting for a high average makes him worth starting in most Fantasy leagues. (CBS Sports)

Cubs SS Ryan Theriot stroked three singles in four at-bats Thursday against the Brewers. He has hit safely in five of his last six games (10-for-25). He has four multi-hit games, four walks, two stolen bases and two RBI in that span. Theriot is never going to give you power from the shortstop position, but he hit over .300 in his final two minor league seasons and apparently can hit MLB pitching as well. His value really lies in NL-only and mixed Rotisserie formats, but he is making plenty of noise in mixed formats right now as well. (CBS Sports)

Cubs SS Ryan Theriot went 2-for-4 with a walk and two runs scored Saturday in a 7-0 win over the Nationals. He is now 21 for his last 49 with 10 multi-hit games in his last 12 and is now hitting .337. Theriot is never going to give you power from the shortstop position, but he hit over .300 in his final two minor league seasons and apparently can hit MLB pitching as well. His value right now really lies in NL-only and mixed rotisserie formats, but he is making plenty of noise in mixed formats right now as well. (CBS Sports)

Ryan Theriot (back) was back in action Wednesday, going 2-for-6 with a stolen base and an RBI. Theriot’s RBI single off Kip Wells with two outs in the 10th inning Wednesday night stood up in a 7-6 win. He finished the game 2-for-6 and extended his hitting streak to eight games. He is hitting .459 (17-for-37) with one homer, five RBI and seven multi-hit games in that span.That he stole a base obviously indicates that his back isn’t bothering much. Get him back into your lineup if you haven’t already. (Rotowire, CBS Sports)

Ryan Theriot (lower back) was not in the lineup Tuesday, the Cubs’ web site reports. Theriot told reporters that his back has been an issue for some time: “Eventually, it will never be 100 percent because that’s just the way I was born. It’s been something I’ve dealt with forever and played with.” Theriot, who’s riding a seven-game hitting streak and batting .481 (13-for-27) on the soon-to-be completed homestand, could be back in the lineup on Wednesday. (Rotowire)

Ryan Theriot (back spasms) was scratched from Monday’s starting lineup due to lower back pain, but was available had the Cubs needed him. “He’s fine… His back locked up on him a little bit. He was available if we needed him, but that was it,” manager Lou Piniella said. As hot as he is, this qualifies as really bad timing. Ronny Cedeno replaced him at shortstop, and Mike Fontenot moved into the second spot in the order. (Rotoworld)

Ryan Theriot continued his hot hitting by going 4-for-5 against the Pirates on Sunday. Theriot also walked once while doubling twice and singling twice. The shortstop also scored three times, drove in two runs, and stole a base to complete an excellent day at the plate. Theriot extended his hitting streak to seven games. He is hitting .484 (15-for-31) with one homer, four RBI and six multi-hit games in that span. He certainly is enjoying life this season hitting in front of Derrek Lee. Theriot is hitting .338 and has scored 14 times. Theriot only hit three homers last season and is not on Fantasy teams for his power capability. But he can hit for a decent average and swipe some bases. He is best used in NL-only and Rotisserie Fantasy leagues.Theriot’s job is secure for the foreseeable future. He should be a good source of steals and runs from a middle infield slot.(Rotoworld, Rotowire, CBS Sports)

Cubs SS Ryan Theriot took advantage of the gusts blowing out at Wrigley on Tuesday evening by hitting his first home run of the season, a two-run shot off reliever Todd Coffey in the eighth. Theriot only hit three homers last season and is not on Fantasy teams for his power capability. He is nothing more than a deeper NL-only option with the stats he puts up. (CBS Sports)

Ryan Theriot didn’t start Wednesday, but he ended up going 1-for-4 in the 15-inning game. Theriot also came off the bench and played a couple of innings Monday. He’s bothered by a sore wrist, but it seems like he should be starting anyway. (Rotoworld)

Update: Ryan Theriot is back in the starting lineup for the first time since Sunday. Theriot, bothered by a sore wrist, was limited to bench appearances the last two games. He’s batting seventh rather than his usual second tonight. Mike Fontenot, who is starting in place of Mark DeRosa, is hitting behind Alfonso Soriano. (Rotoworld)

Ryan Theriot, bothered Sunday by a tender wrist injured on a checked swing Saturday, is getting Monday off. We hope it’s the wrist, because it’s the only excuse for sitting Theriot against a lefty. Ronny Cedeno is playing in his place. Theriot reportedly injured the wrist on a checked swing on Saturday. (RotoWorld)

Update: Ryan Theriot entered Monday’s game against Pittsburgh in the 10th inning, walked twice, stole two bases and scored the go-ahead run in the top of the 12th. Theriot didn’t start because of wrist tenderness.

Cubs manager Lou Piniella has announced another new Cubs lineup after two losses.  With Alfonso Soriano moving back to the leadoff spot, Ryan Theriot will hit second for the time being. This could put a damper on Theriot’s steals to an extent, but then again Soriano doesn’t get on base all that much so Theriot will essentially be hitting with one out and no one on base two thirds of the time.  (Rotowire)

“We’ll stay with this lineup as long as we can, and hopefully we don’t have to change it,” he said before Wednesday’s first pitch, which just happened to clear the left-field bleachers as Rickie Weeks connected off Chicago’s Ted Lilly.

Theriot, who batted .300 in 34 games as the Cubs’ leadoff man last season subbing for Soriano, didn’t care where he hit either, as long as he was in the lineup.

“It doesn’t surprise me,” Theriot said. “It’s something we tinkered with a little bit last year. I embrace it. I think it’ll be good. For me, it’s a spot I’ve been in pretty much my whole career. It’s a spot I’m comfortable in, and we’ll see what happens.” 

(MLB.com)

Ryan Theriot went 0-for-5 against Milwaukee Monday. He struck out twice also. Theriot showed off his base-stealing ability in 2007, swiping 28 bags with 537 at-bats. Unfortunately, he doesn’t contribute much else in Fantasy. He has virtually no power, and at age 28, he doesn’t figure to develop any. He is a useful player for versatility and speed.

Here’s Part III of my 2008 Protect List rundown, looking at the third likely group of protections - “The Probables”. This group consists of players that are probably going to be protected, having a decent value, but they’re not star caliber, and casual fans might not be sure of who they are, exactly, but Rotisserie players will nod in appreciation. Still, each requires a justification.

The Probables:

• Carlos Ruiz
  • 2 Years - $2
  • .260, 6HR, 54 RBI, 42 Runs, 6 Steals (for a catcher!)
  • Justification: Starting C Rod Barajas hasn’t been retained, so Ruiz will be Opening Day catcher
• Ryan Theriot
  • 2 Years - $1
  • .266, 3 HR, 45 RBI, 80 Runs, and 28 steals.
  • Justification: Theriot became the starting SS, so should benefit, but faded down the stretch.
• Brian Wilson
  • 2 Years - $10
  • 1 Win, 6 Saves, 18K, 2.28 ERA with a 0.97 WHIP
  • Justification: Named Giants closer for 2008 after September call-up. No other options for Giants, really.
• Chase Headley
  • 3 Years - $5 (protectable as Minor Leaguer)
  • .330, 20 HR, 78 RBI, 82 Runs and 1 steal (AA stats)
  • Justification: AA MVP, and has a good shot to start the season in San Diego at 3B or LF.

Dear ESPN Answer Guys,

Looking for a Ryan Theriot recommendation:

10-team $260 5×5 NL-only keeper league, with maximum 15 protections possible. At Middle Infield, I already am protecting Jose Reyes ($38) and Brandon Phillips ($16).  I can also protect Ryan Theriot for $1.

I am an admittedly poor drafter, but am good with FAAB, reserves and trades.  Should I take MI out of draft consideration (obviously I’d still do my homework) by locking in Theriot (and his 20+ steals) for $1?

Theriot would be my last guy in, so this isn’t make-or-break, but is he worth the $1 or is the Cubs’ situation too muddy right now?  I also have Victorino ($1) and Corey Hart ($7), so I’m okay with SB (won by 40 SB last year, even after trading away steals).

Protected rosters are due in a month.

Answer Guys: 

Theriot will get enough at bats to make him worth much more than $1 in a
NL only league.  Keep him.

Shawn (CDub)